The Cherohala Skyway was completed in the fall of 1996 after being under construction for some thirty-four years. It is North Carolina's most expensive highway carrying a pricetag of $100,000,000. Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name "Chero...hala". The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sportscar circles for it's long, sweeping corners and scenic views. This road enthusiast's dream connects Robbinsville, North Carolina with Tellico Plains, Tennessee. It can be desolate at night and extremely dangerous in the winter months. There are no facilities other than restrooms for the entire 36 miles so make sure you have enough gas to make the crossing. There is little evidence of civilization from views that rival or surpass any from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beginning at Santeetlah Gap on the North Carolina side (mile marker 0, at elevation 2660 feet), the road quickly twists and ascends to Santeetlah, an overlook at mile marker 11, the highest overlook at 5390 feet. Along this section you will ride the mountain top for another seven miles to the Tennessee state line. It can be cold and cloudy riding the mountain ridges, so make sure you dress properly, even in the summer months. We have been caught in pea soup fog, thick clouds, and bone chilling temperatures. The mile-high ride is always a new and unforgetable experience.  At mile marker 16 (still in North Carolina) the descent starts into the Tellico River basin. There are a few more spectacular scenic vistas on the Tennessee side. A detour to Bald River Falls on paved Forest Service Road 210 is well worth the short trip. Water cascades over 100 feet onto the rocks below - all which can be seen from the comfort of your motorcycle/car. The Tellico River, at the lower elevations on the Tennessee side, is famous for it's trout fishing, and when the water is up, can be quite a challenge for canoers and kayakers. The river leads you to the sleepy town of Tellico Plains where you can fill your tank and feed your belly.For more information on the Cherohala Skyway visit this website: Cherohala.com |
| SPEED LIMITS ON THE CHEROHALA - We have checked with two different sources on the Tennessee Highway Patrol.One source who patrols the Cherohala area regularly says the speed limit is 30 mph the entire way from Tellico Plains to the North Carolina State Line. But it is only posted with two signs in those 21 miles. One is near the Tellico Plains City limits and another about mid-way up the Cherohala at the Indian Boundary turn-off. NOTE: We do not have information on how close speed limit signs have to be to establish a speed limit on any section of roadway. Please let us know if you have this information. The other HP source, when I tell him the signage situation, says that the speed limit is 65 unless posted with more signs at regular intervals. Note: The Tennessee speed limit laws state that the maximum speed limit on all “Other Roads” is 65 mph unless posted otherwise. Here are some things to say if you get pulled over for speeding on the Tennessee side of the Cherohala: 1. Mention the signs for 30 mph and say that you thought Tennessee law was that the speed limit was 65 unless otherwise posted. You thought the 30 mph signs were just slowing traffic for Tellico and Indian Boundary intersection. 2. At the State Line there is a REDUCE SPEED AHEAD sign as you enter North Carolina where the speed limit is posted 45. 3. There are curve signs on the Tennessee side with recommended speeds of 35 mph. Surely the state would not post a higher speed limit on the curve warning signs. In reality no-one is really sure of the speed limit. We have never seen it strictly enforced on the Tennessee side, but we have heard of tickets being issued. We regularly travel at 55-65 mph as does most of the car and cycle traffic. The North Carolina side is posted as 45 mph. It is sometimes enforced, especially on week-ends and holiday periods. The helicopter enforcement no longer exists, but you will find radar by NCHP and Graham County Sheriff deputies. |
